Athletics drop series opener to Royals 6-2
Langeliers homer in the ninth too little-too late
After a rough series in Houston, the Oakland Athletics took on the Kansas City Royals in game one of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Skipper Mark Kotsay sent righthanded hurler Mitch Spence to the mound to start today’s game. This was Spence’s first major league start and his twelfth appearance overall. He’s now the ninth starter used by the A’s this season already. Lefty Cole Ragans got the start for Matt Quatraro’s Royals. The Royals took the field in their City Connect uniforms while both teams donned the MLB Armed Forces Weekend special caps.
Bobby Witt Jr. doubled off Spence in the bottom of the first. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an infield hit by Salvador Perez. The veteran Perez was originally called out on what looked like a fantastic play by Brett Harris. But KC challenged the call, and it was overturned keeping the inning alive and allowing Witt to score.
Through four innings, the A’s have managed just two hits and two walks off Ragans who seems to be on his game. And since the first inning troubles, Spence finished the fourth inning having set down ten of his last 11 Royals faced. Heading into the fifth inning, the A’s trailed the Royals 1-0.
With two down and a runner on second, TJ McFarland entered the game to replace Spence. He threw two pitches and ended the inning. Spence had thrown seventy-seven pitches, giving up one earned run on five hits, one walk and five strikeouts. He exited, however, on the short end of the 1-0 score.
Austin Adams replaced McFarland and after a questionable ball four call to Perez, Massey drove one right down the right field line for a 2-run homer. After an MJ Melendez walk, Adams was done for the night. He was replaced by Brandon Bielak, making his A’s debut after his trade from Houston earlier this week. Hunter Renfroe greeted him with a base hit. Maikel Garcia then homered to left field bringing the score to 6-0. Ragans continued dealing in the seventh with two more strikeouts and no baserunners.
Cole Ragans gave way to Chris Stratton for the Royals in the top of the eighth inning. Tyler Nevin drew a walk, but Stratton closed the door on a potential rally with a pop out and two more K’s. Bielak had a quiet eighth inning leaving it up to the A’s offense to light up the KC night in the ninth!
Matt Sauer replaced Stratton in the ninth. Abraham Toro led off the inning with a single into right field. Down to their last strike of the game Shea Langeliers ripped one to straight-away centerfield for a two-run homer.
Langeliers tenth homer of 2024 drove in Abraham Toro for the only runs of the game. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late and Zack Gelof grounded out to end the game. Final tally: Royals 6, A’s 2. The teams will be back at it tomorrow at 4:10PM PDT.